Wednesday, March 2, 2011

"Maglia Rosa", the Book

"Following the publication of much lauded books Le Métier, The Peloton and Volume 4 of the Rouleur Photography Annual, Rouleur Books releases the definitive history of the Giro d’Italia.

The book, Maglia Rosa – Triumph and tragedy at the Giro d’Italia, is the first of its kind in the English language, and is written by Turin resident and regular Rouleur contributor Herbie Sykes.

Over 312 pages, Sykes takes the reader on an inspiring, magical journey. In so doing he evokes 100 years of the race for the maglia rosa, the mythical pink jersey of the race leader. In addition the book contains over 100 stunning photographs, a century of Italy’s great sporting festival captured on film.

The work uncovers the myths and legends of Italy’s very own grand tour, first run off in 1909. Legends like Coppi, Bartali, Merckx, Gimondi and Moser are featured, but so too are the likes of Brunero and Guerra, Valetti and Zilioli, icons of the Giro whose stories have never been told in English.

With the 2011 edition beginning in Turin in just two months, the book will provide race fans with a veritable feast of history, whilst simultaneously whetting their appetites for the 102nd Corsa Rosa.

We will also be taking pre-orders for an extremely limited edition of this book, signed by great riders of the Giro, priced at £140 and featuring a special cover and slipcase, in the coming weeks."

Note: Back in December I wrote here that Bill McGann, who previously along with his wife wrote the two-volume "The Story of the Tour de France", informed us that he was very close to finishing his new book project which he believed would be the first English-language history of the Giro d'Italia. At the time Bill wrote, Bill writes, "I'm working like a fiend to see if I can publish in late January or early February. We'll do both an Amazon Kindle ebook and a print version that will be distributed out of both the US and the UK."

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